Skip to main content


Appalachian Regional Commission

          
CLOSE
        Appalachian Region
              Data Overview of the Appalachian Region
                      Appalachian States
                      Appalachian Counties Served by ARC
                      County Economic Status and Distressed Areas in Appalachia
                      Tribal Communities in the Appalachian Region
                      Congressional Districts in Appalachia
                      Local Development Districts in Appalachia
      Investment Priorities
              Building Businesses
                      Workforce Ecosystems
                              Addressing Substance Use Disorder
                      Community Infrastructure
                              Transportation in Appalachia
                      Regional Culture and Tourism
                      Community Leaders and Capacity
                              READY Appalachia
                      Investments in Action
      Grants and Opportunities
              About ARC Grants
                              Match Requirements for ARC Grants
                      Funding Opportunities
                              Area Development Program
                                      ARISE InitiativeOpen
                                      INSPIRE Initiative
                                      POWER Initiative
                                      WORC Initiative
                      Capacity Building Opportunities
                              Academies and Institutes
                                      READY Appalachia
                      Additional Opportunities
                              Access to Capital Program
                                      Appalachian Regional Energy Hub InitiativeOpen
                                      J-1 Visa Waiver Program
                                      Local Access Road Program
                      Contract Opportunities
                      Applicant Resources
                      Grantee Resources
                      Approved ARC Projects
      Research and Data
              Research Reports
                      Evaluations
                      Maps
                      Data Report Tool
                      Fact Sheets and Infographics
      Academies and Institutes
              Appalachian Collegiate Research Initiative
                      Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
                      Appalachian Leadership Institute
                      Appalachian STEM Academy
      About ARC
              History and Work
                      Structure and Leadership
                              ARC Offices & Staff
                                      State Partners
                                      Local Development Districts
                                      Office of Inspector General
                      Budget, Performance, and Policy
                      Newsroom
                      Careers at ARC
                      Internships at ARC
      SearchSearch
    Search

              Events
      Newsroom
      Get ARC Updates
      Inspector GeneralFacebook
      Twitter
      Youtube
      LinkedIn You are here
    HomeARC’s Investment Priorities for AppalachiaCultivating Leadership and Community Capacity in Appalachia

        
	
Cultivating Leadership and Community Capacity in Appalachia
	
			
	
				
	
	
	Investing in the next generation of Appalachian leaders must start now. In partnership with regional educational institutions, training programs, and community organizations, ARC supports a range of leadership and skill building opportunities for all age levels. From skill development programs for middle and high schoolers, to applied research opportunities for college students, to comprehensive leadership training for adults, each of these initiatives encourages the next generation of leaders to build careers, create businesses, and otherwise contribute to Appalachia’s community and economic development. In Fiscal Year 2020, ARC invested $14.2 million in 116 projects to build the capacity and skills of Appalachia’s current and next-generation leaders and organizations in Appalachia to advance community and economic development.

Learn more about ARC’s Investment Process.

Developing Current and Emerging Community Leaders





	


  
Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy
          
                      In 2020, ARC launched the **Appalachian Entrepreneurship Academy** in partnership with the Institute for Educational Leadership to cultivate the next generation of Appalachian entrepreneurs. This experiential learning program is designed specifically for high school seniors to build their skills in business planning, product development, idea modeling, and digital marketing.
          
                      Learn More





	


  
Appalachian Leadership Institute
          
                      Appalachia’s communities need leaders who are skilled in communication, consensus building, and community engagement. To develop and support local leadership throughout the Region, ARC established the **Appalachian Leadership Institute**, welcoming its first class in 2019. The Institute is a comprehensive leadership and economic development training opportunity for people who live and/or work in Appalachia and are passionate about helping their communities thrive. The program includes skill-building seminars and best practice reviews to seed an alumni network ready to serve the Region.
          
                      Learn More


ARC Oak Ridge Summer STEM Program
          
                      The **ARC Oak Ridge Summer STEM Program** is a residential, hands-on learning experience for Appalachia’s high school and middle school students, as well as high school teachers in STEM-related fields. Hosted by Oak Ridge Associated Universities in Oak Ridge, Tennessee, this program is a gateway to science, technology, engineering and math (STEM) in the Appalachian Region.  When students return home, they’re encouraged to apply the critical thinking and leadership skills they developed in Oak Ridge to address challenges within their communities.
          
                      Learn More





	


  
Appalachian Teaching Project
          
                      The **Appalachian Teaching Project (ATP)** is an applied research training program for Appalachian college students to work together to build on community assets to shape a positive future for the Region. As part of ATP, students are enrolled in a for-credit academic course to design and lead research projects in Appalachian communities to address regional challenges. As a final project, students and their faculty sponsors travel to Washington, D.C., to present their work to other student delegations, ARC leadership, and community leaders at the Appalachian Teaching Project Capstone Symposium.
          
                      Learn More





	


  
Strengthening Community Ability to Plan and Partner
          
                      To strengthen the Region’s economy, community organizations, local municipalities and nonprofits will be more successful if they have a strong strategic plan. ARC supports tools and resources to assist local and regional leadership as they collaborate to attract investments and produce greater impacts.






	

Investments in Action        BRIGHT Kentucky
							
															BRIGHT Kentucky is an intensive training program for the state’s emerging leaders focused on advancing economic development in Kentucky.
							
															Learn More
											
																			Group of men and women in BRIGHT leadership course in front of blue sky, white clouds, and green trees
											
									Leadership Kentucky Foundation





	



Related Content    
    
    Report      
      Evaluation of the Appalachian Regional Commission’s Leadership and Community Capacity Projects: FY 2008–FY 2015

      Men and women on laptops gather for meeting
																				
																	

  Page      
      Academies and Institutes

      Students studying at university library with books open Appalachian Regional Commission

          About ARC Grants
      Grants and Opportunities
      Newsroom
      Contract Opportunities
      Contact ARC
      Careers

  Get ARC News and Updates
    
    
                
  Sign Up Here
    Web and Privacy Policy